Love Across the Light Years -The Devil CEO Indulges My Lies.-Chapter 86: Haunting name.

Adelyn halted for a second, turning back with searching eyes.

But aside from a sea of unfamiliar faces, she found no one.

"What’s wrong?" Amelia asked, following her line of sight.

Adelyn didn’t answer immediately. But once she was sure that there was no one, she shook her head, brushing the thought aside. "It’s nothing."

Amelia didn’t think much of it. Glancing at the time on her watch, she said, "Let’s go. Since the auditions have already started, we should head over and wait there."

Without lingering any longer, the two of them walked toward the hall where the auditions were being conducted.

Meanwhile, just as they left —

Clara stepped out from within the crowd.

Her eyes scanned the surroundings, as if searching for something —or someone —she had just seen and desperately needed to confirm.

But no matter where she looked, she couldn’t find it again.

"Ms. Scott!" Maria called out, hurrying after her. The thought of leaving Clara alone in such a crowded place had nearly frightened her.

Seeing Clara stop at a distance, she rushed up beside her, slightly out of breath.

But Clara didn’t even glance at her.

"I saw her ..." she murmured under her breath. "She was here."

Maria frowned, confused. She followed Clara’s gaze, trying to spot someone familiar —but there was no one.

"Ms. Scott, who are you looking for? If you tell me, I can go and check."

Clara shook her head.

It was hard to tell whether she was responding to Maria —or to herself.

"Ms. Scott ...?" Maria called again.

This time, Clara seemed to snap back to her senses.

She turned to Maria, her brows slightly drawn together. Grabbing her arm, she asked almost urgently, "Maria, who all have come for auditions today?"

In her haste, she didn’t even realize how tightly her fingers had dug into Maria’s arm —her nails pressing painfully into her skin.

Maria winced, "Ah —"

Clara immediately let go, startled. "I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Does it hurt?"

Maria rubbed her arm and shook her head. "No, I’m fine, Ms. Scott. It doesn’t hurt anymore."

"Are you sure?"

Maria smiled and nodded again.

Only then did Clara relax slightly.

But she hadn’t forgotten.

Her gaze swept the area once more as she asked again, "Who all are here for auditions today?"

Maria hesitated, clearly unsure. She glanced around before answering. "That’s a bit broad, Ms. Scott. What exactly do you mean?"

Clara felt her patience thinning —but she kept her composure.

"I mean ... are all the artists here experienced? Or are they allowing new faces as well?"

This time, Maria understood.

After thinking for a moment, she replied, "They haven’t officially restricted new faces ... but from what I’ve seen, most of the people here are experienced."

"Are you sure?" Clara asked seriously, and that only made Maria think again.

But then she nodded, confirming it once again. "Yes, I’m almost certain. With Director Rhodes’s reputation, no one would take this audition lightly —not even for experience. So most likely, even the ones thinking would take a moment to consider thrice."

Her implication was clear.

Newcomers wouldn’t have the confidence to put such a dare.

Clara fell silent for a moment. Thinking back about what Maria said, she somewhat felt convinced.

Her gaze drifted across the crowd one last time ... before finally settling.

I must have been mistaken, she thought.

How could it be Adelyn?

"Ms. Scott," Maria spoke again, hesitant. "Were you looking for someone earlier?" Clara paused, then shook her head. "No. It was no one."

Maria couldn’t hide the confusion on her face.

The way Clara had reacted earlier —

It had almost felt as if she had seen a ghost.

If it truly was no one ... then who had she been chasing?

Still, she held back her questions and simply nodded.

Just then —

Clara’s phone rang.

Recognizing the ringtone at once, she turned slightly. Maria immediately understood and handed her the phone, catching a glimpse of the caller’s name —Liam.

"Liam," Clara said as she answered the call. "I have arrived here on time. You can relax —I’ll do well."

Liam hummed softly from the other end. After a brief pause, she said, his voice carrying unmistakable concern, "Just do your best. Don’t blame yourself for others’ dissatisfaction."

Even without him saying it directly, Clara understood he was referring to Director Rhodes.

Smiling lightly, she replied, "It’s been five years since I entered the industry, Liam. Do you think I would cry over some real criticism?"

Liam didn’t respond.

But his silence felt heavy —as if his concern hadn’t eased at all.

"Don’t worry, Liam," Clara added gently. "I’ll be fine."

Her gaze shifted toward the audition hall.

"I should prepare now. I’ll call you once I’m done here."

"Okay," Liam said without saying anything more.

They then ended the call.

Clara took a deep breath and handed the phone back to Maria, asking, "Did you check when my turn is?"

Maria nodded. "We should go now. When I checked last, you were fifth in line."

"Then, let’s go," Clara said.

Then, without waiting any further, she headed towards the hall.

Mara quickly followed after her.

The corridor to the hall wasn’t far. It was just adjacent to where Clara had earlier run to. So just after taking a few steps, they were just there.

Maria went to confirm with the crew again.

And just as expected, Clara’s turn was approaching.

"I just checked —you’ll be going after the next person," she informed.

Clara nodded and took a seat, closing her eyes briefly to steady herself.

Just then —

A crew member’s voice rang out.

"Next is Ms. Adelyn. Please proceed inside."

Clara stiffened the very moment she heard the name.

Her eyes snapped open, and she immediately turned towards the source —only to see the crew member checking the list in his hand before calling out again.

"Ms. Adelyn, you’re up next. Please head inside."

This was no longer an illusion.

She had heard it clearly.

He had called Adelyn’s name.

For the second time that day ...

The same name haunting her —it couldn’t be some coincidence.